At least four people conclude that Bella and Celo have had sex and mention this to Bella. The fact that the door was open the entire time he spent hanging out in her room is apparently immaterial (since she wouldn't have been breaking any rules if she'd had sex with him that way, and no one was loitering in the hall supervising them the whole time). She contradicts them on this. Three people don't believe her. Miki does, and is immediately promoted to Bella's favorite out-of-class friend.
In Intro Psych for Subtle Artists, there's a discussion of what subtle artists do with their own minds, and how this differs from everyone else. Bella has already talked to all her subtle arts professors about her own peculiarities, and Professor Murray has her talk a bit about how she's used lucid dreams for introspection, self-modification, and memory boosting. Professor Murray then explains that people who aren't subtle artists can only rarely lucid dream, and even those who can don't find it an effective jumping-off point for any heavy-duty self-searching.
One of the elves in the class looks at Bella oddly through her little talk.
But she doesn't say anything, so Bella ignores her.
Generated:
Post last updated:
in which nymphs are good for more than one thing
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
The elf in the subtle arts class approaches a certain other elf in Treehome, in the evening.
"Ursula," she says, after assuming a suitably submissive position. "I have found a possibility for you."
"Ursula," she says, after assuming a suitably submissive position. "I have found a possibility for you."
"Go on," says Ursula in bored tones.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"A human girl in one of my classes claims to be able to use her arts to alter her own mind in ways that suit her. She has no outwardly-oriented talents and, if found alone, would not be difficult to capture and convince that you suit her."
"Bring her to me, then," says Ursula. "Be convincing."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
The subtle artist gets to her feet and nods to the other girls of the court to begin planning the retrieval.
Ursula declines to concern herself with the details; she commands one of her servant girls to rearrange her dress and bring her something pleasing to eat.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella does not generally venture off by herself. She attends classes; she shows up to occasional student events like fairs and concerts and skirmish matches; otherwise she is rarely without company, even if it's company that doesn't personally know her.
But no part of the campus is invariably occupied. She happens to be in such a variably occupied portion of campus during a trough period, on her way back to Thatcher from an early dinner at the food court, when school has been in session for three weeks.
But no part of the campus is invariably occupied. She happens to be in such a variably occupied portion of campus during a trough period, on her way back to Thatcher from an early dinner at the food court, when school has been in session for three weeks.
Someone's voice whispers in her ear, "Lovely human girl, won't you come talk to me?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
...Bella comes to a slow stop. She doesn't think she wants to talk to anyone who chooses to open with "lovely human girl" - as opposed to, say, her name, or a conversation topic - but she's not sure where the elf or elfblood who's whispering at her is. Which means they're very far away - or someone is blocking her, which she supposes is only fair, since she blocks everyone else.
"How would you like," the voice continues, "to break a faerie curse and be showered with every reward you can imagine?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"I have," says Bella, "a really good imagination."
The elfblood laughs a beautifully musical laugh.
"So do we."
"So do we."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Who's 'we'?"
"Interested parties," says the elfblood-or-elf. "You'll have to come with me to find out more."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Mmmmno I don't think so, I make a habit of not wandering off."
The elf-or-elfblood sighs.
Wistfully: "Are you sure?"
Wistfully: "Are you sure?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"That I do not make that a habit? Yes, quite."
"Oh, well," says the elf(blood) regretfully.
Bella is abruptly surrounded by prettily dressed elven girls wearing veils over their mouths.
Bella is abruptly surrounded by prettily dressed elven girls wearing veils over their mouths.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"...Hi," says Bella, turning on the spot to confirm that they're all around her. She still can't sense any of their minds. "Uh, you're in my way. Please let me by." She casts out for more distant minds.
Nothing.
Shit.
Nothing.
Shit.
"Would you like to reconsider?" the same voice asks in her ear. It's not clear who is speaking. "It's a very generous offer. The offer we're about to make will be... less generous."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"What do you want me to do?" Bella asks.
"Someone is afflicted with a faerie curse that requires true love's kiss to break. We want you to supply it," the voice explains.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"I'm not in love with anyone, and I don't think I even know anyone under a faerie curse, so I don't think I will be very helpful," Bella says.
"I'm sure you could do it if you really tried," the voice encourages.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"I'm not. Especially if you require true love - I'm not sure what that means but it probably doesn't involve twisting my mind around in response to threats." She notes the gender composition of her surroundings and what she remembers about elves of an age to be students at MU. "...Also, I'm straight."
"Details," the voice says dismissively. "It can't hurt to try, can it?"
"Whereas," says one of the elves in front of her, speaking visibly and aloud, "it can certainly hurt not to."
"Whereas," says one of the elves in front of her, speaking visibly and aloud, "it can certainly hurt not to."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"It can hurt to try - mind modification is serious stuff," says Bella. "I - hey, aren't you in my psych class?" she asks one of the elves to her right.
The elf who may or may not be in her psych class declines to answer.
"Are you blocking me?"
The declining continues.
The elf who may or may not be in her psych class declines to answer.
"Are you blocking me?"
The declining continues.
"You're sure as fuck blocking the path," says a different, more familiar voice from a short distance behind Bella. "Scuse me."
None of the elves move. Most of them don't even look at him.
"What," he says, theatrically aggravated, "c'mon, some of us have places to be."
None of the elves move. Most of them don't even look at him.
"What," he says, theatrically aggravated, "c'mon, some of us have places to be."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella can't exactly talk privately to him with the psychic screen the other subtle artist is throwing up. She doesn't have the outward-facing strength to break it.
"Hi, Celo," she says, softly. Maybe he'll get the hint that she said his Pax translation instead of his real name.
"Hi, Celo," she says, softly. Maybe he'll get the hint that she said his Pax translation instead of his real name.
"Hi, Boring Hallmate," he says back. "Seriously, is somebody gonna move?"
"Go around," an elf suggests.
"Nah," says Celo.
Someone says something in elvish, pointedly audible. Now they are all looking at him.
"Go around," an elf suggests.
"Nah," says Celo.
Someone says something in elvish, pointedly audible. Now they are all looking at him.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella holds quite still.
Celo grins.
"I know what that word meant," he says brightly, and he swaggers back a few steps and spreads his hands in open invitation. "Come and get 'em."
Weapons appear in elven hands. No one here seems to be paying Bella any attention at all anymore.
"I know what that word meant," he says brightly, and he swaggers back a few steps and spreads his hands in open invitation. "Come and get 'em."
Weapons appear in elven hands. No one here seems to be paying Bella any attention at all anymore.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella eyes the space behind her to see if there is a gap in the elves. The subtle artist is not distracted enough to have quit screening her, so that's out.
The wall of elves is not exactly solid, but then, a wall of elves doesn't have to be.
Two of those between Bella and Celo start toward him with deceptive elven speed. He saunters backward with his hands clasped carelessly behind his back, then at the last second brings them forward again holding paired daggers. One finds a throat, the other a stomach.
There is a moment of stunned silence before all the remaining elves rush him in a shrieking mob.
Two of those between Bella and Celo start toward him with deceptive elven speed. He saunters backward with his hands clasped carelessly behind his back, then at the last second brings them forward again holding paired daggers. One finds a throat, the other a stomach.
There is a moment of stunned silence before all the remaining elves rush him in a shrieking mob.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Now the subtle artist is too distracted to screen her. Bella has never actually tried knocking someone out with subtle arts, but she read ahead in Utility Psionics - it even has therapeutic uses - and nontherapeutic ones -
She tries; she bounces off the subtle artist's shields and the screen comes back. So much for that.
She tries; she bounces off the subtle artist's shields and the screen comes back. So much for that.
Meanwhile, Celo and the mob of elves are rapidly exchanging grievous harm.
The difference is, grievous harm doesn't stick to Celo. And the elves seem obsessed with his genitals. If someone would take a swing at something other than his crotch once in a while, this might be a more even fight. As it is, even when one girl almost severs the offending items with her dagger, he runs her through with a sword he wasn't holding a moment ago as golden light flares from the wound.
The difference is, grievous harm doesn't stick to Celo. And the elves seem obsessed with his genitals. If someone would take a swing at something other than his crotch once in a while, this might be a more even fight. As it is, even when one girl almost severs the offending items with her dagger, he runs her through with a sword he wasn't holding a moment ago as golden light flares from the wound.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella can contribute absolutely nothing valuable to this fight. She stands well back and waits for him to take out the subtle artist -
Wait, she shouldn't just wait for him to take her out. Any minute now the subtle artist elf will determine that he's more of a threat than Bella is and start attacking instead of screening.
Bella stands ready to pounce on any drop in the screen to set up a shield around Celo.
Wait, she shouldn't just wait for him to take her out. Any minute now the subtle artist elf will determine that he's more of a threat than Bella is and start attacking instead of screening.
Bella stands ready to pounce on any drop in the screen to set up a shield around Celo.
Out of seven elves, four are on the ground and two of those aren't moving. He stabs a fifth in the leg. She goes down.
When he pauses to heal the pair he stabbed first, retrieving those daggers in the process, the one remaining opponent who is not a subtle artist pounces on him from behind and rips her knife across his throat. The cut has started healing almost before she finishes making it, but it's deep. There is a lot of blood.
When he pauses to heal the pair he stabbed first, retrieving those daggers in the process, the one remaining opponent who is not a subtle artist pounces on him from behind and rips her knife across his throat. The cut has started healing almost before she finishes making it, but it's deep. There is a lot of blood.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
The subtle artist chooses this time to abandon the screen in favor of attacking Celo.
Bella's good at blocks. She's not as good at blocking for someone else as she is at blocking herself - but she's still very, very good. She couldn't break the elf's screen and the elf can't break her wards.
The elf subtle artist whirls and comes at Bella with a knife. Bella quicksteps back, but she is not going to be able to outrun an elf, boots or no boots.
Bella's good at blocks. She's not as good at blocking for someone else as she is at blocking herself - but she's still very, very good. She couldn't break the elf's screen and the elf can't break her wards.
The elf subtle artist whirls and comes at Bella with a knife. Bella quicksteps back, but she is not going to be able to outrun an elf, boots or no boots.
Celo, now covered in his own blood, stabs his assailant in the ribs and bolts forward as soon as her grip falters.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
The elf is fast and Bella is slow.
The elf makes a nasty slash across Bella's face, and Bella screams, and her shields around Celo drop, and the elf whirls to face the nymph and batter at his brain with imprecise violent fury.
The elf makes a nasty slash across Bella's face, and Bella screams, and her shields around Celo drop, and the elf whirls to face the nymph and batter at his brain with imprecise violent fury.
It's a new kind of pain, and it's intense and startling, and Celo neglects to care. He barrels right into the elf and locks his hands around her throat.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
She's still got her knife. She brings it to bear, quickly, before she runs out of air, slashing at his wrists.
Bella will be over here kneeling on the path, clutching her face and sobbing.
Bella will be over here kneeling on the path, clutching her face and sobbing.
Celo slams his knee into the elf's stomach.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
That loses her some of the air she had.
Bella recovers some of her presence of mind and, still clutching at her face, makes another attempt on the other subtle artist's mind.
Concentration is key for opposed subtle arts.
The elf has less than Bella at this moment.
She falls unconscious.
Bella recovers some of her presence of mind and, still clutching at her face, makes another attempt on the other subtle artist's mind.
Concentration is key for opposed subtle arts.
The elf has less than Bella at this moment.
She falls unconscious.
Celo drops the subtle artist, staggers over to Bella, and touches a hand to her face. There's that pleasant analgesic rush of healing again.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella lets out a breath she'd been holding and then bursts into tears.
He hesitates.
Then he hugs her.
Then he hugs her.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella lurches away from him. They are not hugging friends. "Thanks," she mutters anyway.
"Yeah," he says distantly. He looks around. The elves who were more or less mobile are gone, taking one of his favourite enchanted daggers with them; the elves who were unconscious have stayed that way. No one is dead, or likely to die without help.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella gets to her feet; her knees wobble. "...I don't know the, um, official status, of elf students here, I think it might be different from everybody else, do you suppose there's any point to reporting them?"
"Do I care," he wonders flatly. The answer appears to be no.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"...Oh. I'll. I'll find out for myself, then, I guess. ...Thank you."
He rubs both hands over his face. "Fuck, I need to get laid."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"...I. Wish you the best of luck."
He climbs to his feet again. It takes him a couple of tries. He's not physically injured, but he seems exhausted.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Do you need help?"
"Somehow I don't think you can carry me," he says dryly. "Whatever, I'll be fine."
He starts walking. His coordination improves with every careful step.
He starts walking. His coordination improves with every careful step.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"If you have a standard - booty call, or whatever - I could see if I can reach them from here," she offers. They're heading in the same direction. "I don't know exactly how the needing sex thing works."
"One of the satyrs is usually a good bet," he says. "Know where to find any?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella closes her eyes and looks. Even the very gentlest detection of minds can tell apart different species.
She finds one satyr.
[Celo's name] quote needs to get laid end quote. He's halfway between Thatcher and the dining hall, on the path that goes around the little hill.
She finds one satyr.
[Celo's name] quote needs to get laid end quote. He's halfway between Thatcher and the dining hall, on the path that goes around the little hill.
Awesome! says the satyr. Thanks!
"Anything?" says Celo.
"Anything?" says Celo.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Found one. Told him where you are. He says 'awesome, thanks'. I didn't get his name."
Celo grins weakly. "Thanks," he says. "Might wanna clear out when he gets here, we're gonna be busy for a while."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"That's my plan. I'll wait for him with you if you want."
"...Maybe a good idea," Celo acknowledges.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella nods. She waits.
The satyr comes bounding into view. He doesn't even ask about the unconscious elves littering the path; he heads straight for Celo.
"You look like shit," he greets.
"I know, right?" laughs Celo, holding out his arms. "C'mere and make me feel better."
Bella's presence is no longer required.
"You look like shit," he greets.
"I know, right?" laughs Celo, holding out his arms. "C'mere and make me feel better."
Bella's presence is no longer required.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella trots off briskly in the direction of Thatcher Hall. She goes to the dorm ball room, writes up a complete description of what happened between her and the elves (summarizing Celo's involvement only as "violent rescue by another student"), and submits it to both her R.A.s, the student council, and four likely looking faculty a-mail addresses from the university weavesite. And her intro psych teacher. She doesn't send it to her parents, but she implies that she might, in the last paragraph after her paste of (distressingly minimally worded) school harassment policies.
Celo doesn't come back to his room that night.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
There is a hall meeting the following afternoon, with pizza and cupcakes to entice everyone to show up, which works on about three-quarters of everyone. Bella shows up more because she's actually potentially interested in having input on the possible hall bonding activities that could be decided on. (The current contenders are apple picking, going swimming in a lake up-province, and making the RAs arrange a scavenger hunt. None of these strongly interest Bella, but someone could come up with something else.)
When people are just starting to lose attention and leave, Celo takes the opportunity to announce, "By the way, anybody who wants to fuck me this weekend, now's your chance, because I'm going out tonight and coming back Sunday."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella notes this information. She, unlike two of the other hall residents, does not raise her hand; she just goes back to her room. (The vote was in favor of apple picking; she'll have the hall practically to herself most of the weekend, apparently.)
Celo is discussing order of operations with the two people who did raise their hands when she leaves the room.
As promised, he comes back Sunday afternoon.
As promised, he comes back Sunday afternoon.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella is having an uncharacteristically stress-free weekend. She notices his mind reappear, while she's in the lounge with her Intro Perception jargon flashcards.
He drops by the lounge and beams at her. Something has him immensely pleased with himself.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"You're in a good mood," she comments.
"You would not believe the amount of dick I have sucked in the last day and a half," he sighs contentedly, flopping onto a couch. "I love everything."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Especially that, I surmise."
"Mmmmmmmyep."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella laughs softly and goes through another few flashcards, then says: "I emailed a bunch of people about those elf girls. No response yet. I guess I'll take better-traveled routes; they might come after me again. I don't know about you. But you can obviously defend yourself."
"Fucking right I can," he agrees, stretching his arms up over his head. "I'm pissed that that one girl walked off with my best dagger in her shoulder, though. Gonna take a lot of psionics labs to replace that one."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Maybe you could get a divination student to find it for you, if you like it that much. Of course, the elf might take exception to attempts at retrieving it."
"Meh, they already want to cut my dick off and take it as a trophy," he shrugs. "How much worse can it get?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Well, they could want that and you could also be on their turf," Bella points out.
He laughs. "Okay, yeah."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Flashcard. Flashcard.
"What'd they want with you, anyway?"
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"The subtle artist one is in my intro psych class. She heard me talking about being able to self-modify, and figured I was the perfect candidate to break her friend's faerie curse which requires true love's kiss."
"Well, that sounds dumb," says Celo.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Yeah, I thought so too, they weren't buying it."
He snorts.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Flashcard. Flashcard. "Did you ever wind up talking to Professor Winters?"
"Yeah. Professor Winters has no idea," sighs Celo.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella sighs and nibbles her lip.
"Maybe it's just impossible."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Maybe."
Celo puts a throw pillow over his face and makes frustrated mumbling noises into it.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"What?" Bella asks, looking away from her flashcards. "Are you okay?"
"I wanna do the thing and I don't know how," he says. "It's annoying. I'm annoyed."
He sighs.
"Maybe I can just - I don't know, think about it."
He sighs.
"Maybe I can just - I don't know, think about it."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Maybe," says Bella.
So he thinks about it. And hugs, squashes, and occasionally bites the pillow.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"I bet you that Professor Winters could figure out how to 'blind' you, but didn't bring it up on the theory that you'd rather indiscriminately look than indiscriminately not-look."
"I bet you Professor Winters couldn't," he retorts. "It's part of my divine nature, you don't fuck around with that shit."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella shifts uncomfortably in her chair the way she usually does when divinities are brought up. Mama Kh may or may not care what Bella thinks of her morals; she may or may not have the power in her portfolio to read minds through subtle artist shields given that her focus lies elsewhere; she might or might not be in a punishing mood on any given day. Bella's task is to avoid finding out.
Celo shrugs. "But, you know, I'm a nymph who's majoring in martial combat, so I guess I can fuck around with that shit a little."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Hasn't bitten you too badly yet?"
"Nope."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"That's lucky."
"Enh," he says. "Don't get me started on it."
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"...Okay."
Flashcard.
Flashcard.
Pillow-crush.
"...Hmm," he says eventually.
"...Hmm," he says eventually.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
"Hmm?"
"Hmm," he repeats. "Think I've got something. Gonna go find out."
He gets up, tossing the much-abused pillow down where he was sitting.
He gets up, tossing the much-abused pillow down where he was sitting.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Okay then.
Flashcard, flashcard. She's out of cards. She starts going through the deck another time.
Flashcard, flashcard. She's out of cards. She starts going through the deck another time.
Celo is out for a while. He doesn't seek her out immediately when he returns.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
She notices his mind when he comes back, but doesn't follow it into any detail. She's through with her flashcards and she's brainstorming essay topics.
He pokes his head into the lounge. Bella is the only one there.
"By the way," he says, "if you were ever gonna - don't get in water with a mermaid."
Then he continues the few steps down the hall to the door of the adjoining kitchen.
"By the way," he says, "if you were ever gonna - don't get in water with a mermaid."
Then he continues the few steps down the hall to the door of the adjoining kitchen.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
What? Why?
Since she's in his mind and all, he shows her what mermaids really look like.
It comes with a vivid, and shockingly pleasant, sense memory of being eaten alive - not euphemistically - by a needle-fanged fish-creature. He did not entirely mean to transmit that part, but it makes his point pretty well.
It comes with a vivid, and shockingly pleasant, sense memory of being eaten alive - not euphemistically - by a needle-fanged fish-creature. He did not entirely mean to transmit that part, but it makes his point pretty well.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I did not know that was a mermaid thing.
Yeah, neither do most people. I've done it a few times, but the mermaids didn't always know I was into it. So, you know, be careful. I just thought of it while I was out.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Uh, thanks for letting me know. Why is this not common knowledge?
My guess? It'd fuck up the mers being classed as part human or whatever if people knew their top halves go scaly and they eat people, and they don't want that. And, you know, most of the people who find out don't get a chance to tell anybody.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Is there anything stopping you from, like, telling an investigative reporter?
Some of the girls who ate me did know I was into it, and I don't want them torn apart by angry mobs?
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
There are other anthropophagic species on campus who aren't torn apart by angry mobs. I don't want anyone to die, and the revelation probably would lead to unrest for the first while, but there are a lot of mermaids, only a handful of them are currently in mob range, and there are a lot of other people around, and a lot of other people who don't exist yet but will in the future, who could save their lives knowing what you just casually told me.
Okay, he says. Be my guest. Send somebody an anonymous tip. Bet you my title deed it all blows up.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I'm not saying it wouldn't blow up, I'm saying on balance it would probably be better for a greater number of people to have the information known. I'm also not sure anyone will believe an anonymous tip.
Yeah, there's that. Well, I don't want to get those girls killed, so I'm not gonna do it.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I don't want to get them killed either! For all I know they are perfectly nice people and would never eat somebody who didn't ask nicely first! But I don't want to get their friends' future meals killed either.
Uh-huh, says Celo. And I care more about the ones I've met.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
You could warn them, send them off to lie low or wait till they're home on vacation.
Meh.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
If they or their friends eat people who aren't nymphs then the people they eat don't get to come back, [Celo's name].
Yeah, believe it or not, I know people die, he says. I've killed one.
If she wants his memories on the subject, they are right there.
If she wants his memories on the subject, they are right there.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
She's only chatting, not reading his thoughts; he'd have to verbally offer for him to know that she's welcome.
She considers arguing with him. She decides not to bother. If he doesn't care, he doesn't care. If there's a way to make someone care, she doesn't know it, and wouldn't do it anyway because that's one of the things she cares about.
Instead she says:
Why did you tell me, then? If it doesn't matter if people die unless they eat you alive when you ask nicely?
She considers arguing with him. She decides not to bother. If he doesn't care, he doesn't care. If there's a way to make someone care, she doesn't know it, and wouldn't do it anyway because that's one of the things she cares about.
Instead she says:
Why did you tell me, then? If it doesn't matter if people die unless they eat you alive when you ask nicely?
...Is that an actual question or are you being an asshole, he says, because it sounds like you're being an asshole but I'm not totally sure.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
You already think I'm an asshole. Never mind, I guess.
You're wrong about what I think surprisingly often for a telepath, Celo observes with amusement.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I'm not reading your thoughts right now like I was in lab, I'm just accepting deliberate sendings. It's not exactly like talking aloud because it's minus body language and plus optional sense-memories and so on, but I'm not spying on your inmost thoughts, I'm going by what you say. One of the things you've said to me so far in our acquaintance is that I'm an asshole.
Yeah, well, I changed my mind. I don't start shit with elves for people I don't like, says Celo.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
So somewhere along the line I joined the elite circle with the friendly people-eating mermaids and now it matters if I live or die.
Sure, if you want to think of it like that, he says.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
You're bewildering.
Right back atcha, he says. Wanna muffin?
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Yeah, sure. Bella puts her notebook on the arm of the couch and walks into the kitchen to fetch herself a muffin.
Warm fresh tasty muffins! Mmm.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella takes hers, waves to Celo, and walks back into the lounge. Thanks.
You're welcome, he says cheerfully.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella eats her muffin and outlines her chosen essay.
Celo bakes things.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Bella does homework and periodically swings by to update her collection of baked things.
That works out well, then, doesn't it?
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
It does.
I'm curious, Bella asks about an hour later, when did I graduate from "asshole" to "worth rescuing from mad elves"?
I'm curious, Bella asks about an hour later, when did I graduate from "asshole" to "worth rescuing from mad elves"?
I dunno, he says. Didn't take that long. I don't really stay mad most of the time.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Oh.
...Have you been going around all this time thinking I hated you because I called you an asshole once? That's weird. You read my mind for an hour, did you not notice the lack of me hating you?
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Nursing an active emotional hatred doesn't always accompany thinking someone is an asshole. Not all opinions about nearby people float to the surface during every one-hour period. And I try to judge people more on what they choose to say and not on what idly crosses their minds.
Well, I like you, he says. Which is why I got those elves off your back.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
And if you didn't like me you would've gone around and left me there.
I might've. Or I might've started shit just for the hell of it.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Ah.
Elves are pretty serious. But none of those were ever in my martial combat classes, so I knew they wouldn't think I was a serious threat. They're probably gonna corner me next chance they get and try to cut my junk off again.
He is weirdly cheerful about this prospect.
He is weirdly cheerful about this prospect.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I don't think they've been permanently put off from the idea of kidnapping me to try to make me fall in love with their cursed friend, either.
Yeah, probably not. Don't let 'em catch you alone, he suggests.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
That's my plan.
And after a silence:
How did you find out about the mermaids? Was one of the unfriendly ones unaware that you'd live to tell the tale?
And after a silence:
How did you find out about the mermaids? Was one of the unfriendly ones unaware that you'd live to tell the tale?
Yeah, pretty sure she thought I was human, he says. She might still; I don't think I ever saw that one again.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
You walk around stark naked and don't get in trouble for it and she thought you were a human?
Yeah, the whole clothes thing? Not really universal, says Celo.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Don't they give foreign students cultural briefings about that kind of thing?
Not as much as you might think!
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Okay then.
He laughs.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
I got a response to my a-mail. Dean says she'll 'look into it'. Which is probably code for "do nothing", but at least now there's an aether trail if it happens again.
I guess that's something.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
It's less than I hoped but not really more than I expected.
Yep.
Isabella Mariel Swan Ψ
subtly_artistic
Homework. Homework homework. They're not actually friends; Bella feels no strong impulse to carry on producing conversation topics.